In the ever-changing landscape of business management, the concept of quality has undergone significant transformations. What began as a focus on maintaining standards such as ISO 9001 and AS9100 is evolving into a more holistic approach encompassing organizational excellence. Tom Taormina’s book Is Quality Just a Word We Use? (CRC Press, 2024) explores this evolution’s key milestones and theoretical underpinnings, shedding light on how organizations can shift their focus from managing quality to achieving excellence across all facets of their operations.

There have been hundreds of books written on the subject of quality, and countless tools ranging from six sigma to lean to statistical process control (SPC) and advanced product quality planning and control plans (APQP), among others. Many companies have implemented these tools with varying success, or experimented with trendy fads that ended up dying on the vine. Over time, too many senior leaders and C-suite executives have neglected quality efforts and relegated their ISO and AS9100 certificates to lobby decor.

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